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The 2025 Men’s Health Fitness Awards: The Best New Home Gym Equipment, Trackers, Sneakers, and More

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The 2025 Men’s Health Fitness Awards: The Best New Home Gym Equipment, Trackers, Sneakers, and More

ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER round of new fitness gear. We know you’re hitting the new year, new you hard, and whatever your fitness devotion—deadlifter, gym rat, hiker, trail runner, cyclist—there’s a seemingly endless stream of gear that’s purpose-built just for you. But which of that gear do you actually need? And what’s worth buying?

Every year, our in-house fitness experts, certified trainers, and gear testers research (and test) all of the best new product releases so you don’t have to. We torture-test the best-reviewed home gym equipment, log hundreds of miles in state-of-the-art running shoes, put down hundreds of lifts in the latest cross-training shoes, and spend dozens of hours steaming in the newest saunas—all in the name of science and recovery, and to narrow down our selection of the year’s best of the best.

In total, we are adding our seal of approval to more than 90 products across five different categories (plus a grouping of Editors’ Picks). We hope this helps inform your own fitness pursuits for this month and beyond. This is the 2025 Men’s Health Fitness Awards.

Jump to:

Cardio Training
Strength Training
Outdoor/On-The Go Training
Recovery
Apparel
Editor’s Picks


Most Gamified Exercise Bike

Fit Bike
Aviron Fit Bike

Now 20% Off

Play head-to-head games, watch Netflix, cycle with a coach, or just take a virtual ride—this ultra-gamified bike offers nearly a dozen ways to get more motivated to pedal. Translation: Month after month, you’ll never be bored with your daily cardio with this exercise bike. If you’re looking for the top in tech, this is it.

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Best Budget Treadmill

7.0 Advanced Training Smart Treadmill
Horizon Fitness 7.0 Advanced Training Smart Treadmill

Now 52% Off

Horizon proves you don’t have to spend north of $2K for a solid treadmill. The 7.0 AT checks all our must-have boxes, including a quiet motor and fast speed/incline changes. Plus, it plays nice with Apple GymKit, Peloton, and a wide range of apps via Bluetooth. And the 60-inch-long running deck is long enough for just about anyone to run without issues.

Best Overall Value Treadmill

Commercial 2450 Treadmill
NordicTrack Commercial 2450 Treadmill

Fast and durable with next-level features, NordicTrack’s 2450 is a gym-quality, commercial-grade treadmill for your home. It’s incredibly stable for a folding treadmill, too, and built to last. The 24-inch pivoting touchscreen delivers trainer-led workouts and interactive iFIT streaming to mix up your daily training seshes. What we love most is that the speed and incline auto-adjust, making it easy for a hands-free gym-like run at home.

Best Rowing Machine

Wave Rower
Hydrow Wave Rower

Now 9% Off

With a sleek, curved silhouette (almost like a “wave”—get it?) and a smaller, lighter design now available in multiple colorways, the Wave Rower is purpose-built for modern apartment dwellers since it folds and stores well. This rower seriously transports us, mimicking the experience of rowing on water thanks to the 16-inch HD screen—but also because the electromagnetic resistance is supersmooth. Despite its compact size, we can still do hard sprints or longer intervals. Simply put, this rower can do it all.

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Best Overall Cardio Equipment

RowErg

When it comes to cardio machines, the rower reigns supreme. That’s because rowers not only allow you to push your heart rate to the max but also duplicate two key motions you need for life: hinging at your hips and rowing with your midback muscles. And the RowErg is built for purists, setting the standard for rowing machines: It lets you row with power and push the tempo with a variable resistance profile that works whether you’re sprinting all-out for 500 meters or taking on a 10K.

Best Spin Bike

Echo Bike V3.0
Rogue Echo Bike V3.0

Now 6% Off

For athletes who go hard, Echo Bike V3.0 is Rogue’s latest and engineered to be the strongest, most durable fan bike of 2024. We’ve used all versions of the Echo Bike for the past seven years, and we swear by its solid-as-a-rock construction and the punishing workouts it doles out. It requires serious power to move this bike. Once you do get it going, though, it pedals smooth as can be.

Best Curved Treadmill

AssaultRunner Pro
Assault Fitness AssaultRunner Pro

Curved treadmills are great for reducing impact and can be placed anywhere because they’re non-motorized. That essentially means the user’s movement is what powers it, which can ensure it works your hamstrings in ways standard treadmills may not. This budget-friendly version of AssaultRunner’s TrueForm has appeared multiple times in the CrossFit Games, and for good reason: The thick rubber belt is ultra-comfy and heavier-duty, allowing you to run much, much faster. Considering that other good curved treadmills go for much higher, we think this one is a tremendous value.

Most Splurge Treadmill

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Skillmill

If you’re in search of a curved treadmill and only the best will do, then Technogym delivers with the Batman-worthy Skillmill. It sports next-gen Multidrive Technology that makes it unlike any other curved treadmill we’ve tried, letting you add or subtract resistance. That means you can sprint on it and also use it for sled pushes.

Best Connected Bike

Bike+

When you buy a Peloton, you’re really buying the community. Its Bike+ is fairly straightforward outside of the eye-popping 24-inch rotating touchscreen. And that’s what plugs you into a deep library of live and on-demand cardio, strength training, and yoga classes led by charismatic trainers. While it’s our best overall exercise bike, do keep in mind that it requires a monthly membership and clip-in pedal shoes—which enhances the class experience by accommodating the resistance changes.

Best Boxing Workout

6-Foot Freestanding Heavy Bag
Hayabusa 6-Foot Freestanding Heavy Bag

This freestanding piece’s deceptively simple design combines a traditional heavy bag with a high-traction base that can hang with your most intense striking sessions. For anyone who’d rather not drill a hanging chain into their home gym’s ceiling, this is the pick for you. We’re especially excited about the new quick-swap system, which allows the base to be used with other boxing components such as reflex bags, making the most of your fighting area.

Best Boxing Gloves

Shadow S1
Shadow Fight Goods Shadow S1

Now 30% Off

Protect those hands like a professional during your next boxing workout with this elite pair designed by striking coach Owen Roddy and Raf Montes, an engineer who worked on gear for the Navy SEALs. The highlight of these boxing gloves is the strap, which gives you the security of a hand-laced model without requiring a coach to tie them on.


strength training

Best-Looking Adjustable Dumbbells

Nüobell 80LB Tactical
SMRTFT Nüobell 80LB Tactical

Our go-to adjustable dumbbell set here at Men’s Health, SMRTFT’s Nüobell, is an impressive piece of strength equipment, elegant enough to sit anywhere in your home or gym. Switching weights is as simple as a click to the left or the right. The bulletproof all-in-one steel design provides endless versatility for lifts up to 80 pounds.

Best Weight Sled

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Competition Power Sled
Centr x HYROX Competition Power Sled

Strong, versatile, and dead simple to use, this collab-created power sled is our fave for 2024. The four prongs set you up to push and pull with ease, and you can stack up to 330 pounds on the center pole. The Centr sled slides easily on turf and feels ultra-sturdy.

Best Pilates Workout

AeroPilates Premier Studio 700
Stamina AeroPilates Premier Studio 700

Now 24% Off

The AeroPilates 700 offers multiple resistance levels so you can dial in the perfect setting for your at-home Pilates workout. It’s also more affordable than more premium alternatives.

Most Versatile Cable Machine

Voltra I

Most home gyms have to rely on resistance bands to simulate gym cable crossover machines. The Voltra 1 seeks to change that, offering a bevy of resistance profiles and up to 200 pounds of resistance in a tiny machine that clips easily onto any power rack. Expect to do cable flies, curls, and Pallof presses with this bad boy—and train power, too.

Best Explosive Training Tool

Pro

Originally designed specifically for pro athletes, this machine is great for slow, high-resistance reps, but where it really shines is in those explosive movements that truly build athleticism. The compact design makes it portable enough to take anywhere, yet it’s rugged enough to last for years.

Best Connected Home Gym

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Tonal

This unique cable machine solution sets you up to do everything from cable biceps curls to flies to Romanian deadlifts, thanks to a unique (and challenging) form of magnetic resistance. It boasts a few other impressive features, too, including a music player and a variety of resistance profiles that simulate things like resistance bands and chains. The best part: Men’s Health fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, CSCS, discovered it lives up to the hype.

Ultimate Space-Saving Home Gym

Home Gym

The clever, space-saving Pivot packs the flexibility and versatility to transform any spare room in your house (or even your garage) into your own fully equipped gym. For the same price as any quality rack, it saves you a ton of floor space while helping you get in all those fundamental lifts we love. Upgrade to the Ultimate or Full Monty package for even more options.

Best Lightweight Vest

G-Vest Sport

Elevate your training with this lightweight, streamlined vest that’s purpose-built for agility and speed drills, as well as those go-to bodyweight moves. We find the Omorpho G-Vest Sport easy to strap into (not the case with all weighted vests), and the six-pound design hits the sweet spot to make it versatile enough for a wide range of workouts.

Best Weight Carrier Vest

TacTec Plate Carrier
5.11 Tactical TacTec Plate Carrier

Our favorite tactical brand also delivers our favorite plate carrier vest. This isn’t your typical weighted vest; this is for the most hardcore users, the ones who love crushing WODs at the gym or at home. The TacTec Plate Carrier is streamlined for maximum comfort and range of motion, with the durability to carry serious weight for your hardest strength-training seshes.

Best Adjustable Bench

Adjustable Bench
Prime Fitness Adjustable Bench

No home gym is complete without a great bench, and it never pays to skimp on the essentials. Sure, you could find a flimsy option for less, but who wants a bench that’s going to rock back and forth when you’re holding the big dumbbells? Prime’s adjustable model is our go-to of the year, with a comfortable, versatile, easy-to-use design and durability.

Best Overall Weight Rack

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Hammer Strength HD Elite ID Half Rack
Life Fitness Hammer Strength HD Elite ID Half Rack

The Men’s Health team likes this rack so much, it’s the one we have in our own gym! For those who want to save a little space without sacrificing versatility and functionality, this half rack delivers in a big way. It pairs twin training uprights with twin storage uprights for maximum efficiency in the tightest possible spaces, giving you all the room you need for those big squats or deadlifts.

Best Dumbbell Set

Rubber Hex Dumbbells
Living Fit Rubber Hex Dumbbells

Now 44% Off

Dumbbells are one of the first fitness buys for most homes—no gym is complete without a solid set. These rubber-encased pieces from Living Fit are just that, with a wide range of weight options, from 5 to 100 pounds. We like the simple design with the no-roll ends and knurled handles for better grip.

Best Kettlebell

Kettlebells

Trade your boring, old-school kettlebells for this hardworking set from the badass brand and perennial MH favorite Onnit. Its primate-inspired Primal kettlebells are forged from cast iron, and the fierce primate faces may help you unlock the beast within. They aren’t just designed to look cool, either; they’re also workout workhorses, with wide handles that make it easier to find the best grip for swings and squats.

Best Trap Bar

Open Trap Bar
REP Fitness Open Trap Bar

This open trap bar from REP offers a wide array of movements, as opposed to a standard trap bar, which limits you to a few. With a perfectly balanced counterweighted design and an integrated deadlift jack, this is one of the smoothest-lifting trap bars we’ve ever used. Powder coating and hard-chromed steel add grip, durability, and a handsome finish. It works especially well when paired with REP’s Black Bumper Plates.

Best Wall-Mounted Pullup Bar

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Adjustable Depth Wall Mounted Pull-Up Bar
Titan Fitness Adjustable Depth Wall Mounted Pull-Up Bar

Deceptively simple and ridiculously strong, this is one pull-up bar to rule them all. Men’s Health fitness director Ebenezer Samuel, CSCS, recommends this design to friends and training clients alike. Properly installed, it supports up to 400 pounds. Bonus: The dirt-cheap price tag makes this an easy buy for any home gym.

Best Freestanding Pullup Bar

MIL Pull-Up Station
Rogue Fitness MIL Pull-Up Station

Rogue’s MIL Pull-Up Station is the pinnacle when it comes to freestanding pullup bars. Not everybody wants to buy a whole rack for pullups or drill holes into their wall, and we like the ability to easily move your bodyweight training outdoors whenever you want. This particular piece of equipment is trusted by the U.S. Army for its latest Combat Fitness Test, so you can rest assured it can hang with the toughest of workouts.

Best Barbell

Colorado Bar

For a gym piece as simple yet essential as a barbell, you almost always get what you pay for. And let’s be frank: When you’re lifting the heavy weight, the last thing you want is to be concerned about the reliability of your bar. We are big fans of REP’s flagship barbell, from the Cerakote shaft to the knurled grips.

Best Weight Plates

Bumper Plates (160 LB Combo)
Living Fit Bumper Plates (160 LB Combo)

When it comes to plates, your home gym can never have too many. If you are serious about training, you probably have a few different pieces of equipment that require plates to fulfill their purpose, from barbells to trap bars. We’re big fans of this colorful set from Living Fit, which gives you 160 total pounds to play with (pairs of 5 lbs, 15 lbs, 25 lbs, and 35 lbs). Since these are encased in rubber, unlike traditional iron plates, they won’t wake up the household every time you throw one on the floor.

Best Adjustable Dumbbells

Hammer Strength PRO 100 Adjustable Dumbbells
Life Fitness Hammer Strength PRO 100 Adjustable Dumbbells

No home gym is complete without dumbbells, but buying multiple sets can cost a lot of money and a lot of room. This well-built adjustable pair from Hammer Strength goes from 5 to 100 pounds while only taking up a few feet of floor space. And thanks to the quick-switch system, you can change the weight with ease during your set.


outdoor on the go training

Best Overall Bike

Rockhopper

Specialized earns its name with the consistent quality of the road bikes it produces. We are big fans of this model’s lightweight aluminum frame, crisp-shifting Shimano drivetrain, and design for every rider size, shape, and skill level. The Rockhopper is the one do-it-all two-wheeler when your budget allows for just one.

Best Ruck Pack

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Rucker 4.0

Rucking, an incredible workout, requires a special kind of backpack to carry the weight. GoRuck’s flagship Rucker 4.0 is made for exactly that, with reinforced construction, extra padded straps, and plenty of handles. But what we really love is the pack’s versatility. Not only can it carry real weight, but thanks to its sleek and stylish design, it can seamlessly transition to commuter or work bag.

Best Hiking Pack

AllTrail X 25L

Thule is one of the most trusted names in outdoor gear, and when you put on this pack, you’ll know why. With a durable waxed canvas shell and a 25-liter capacity, the AllTrail is perfect for day hikes and impromptu trail exploring. The two low-key colorways ensure it’s well suited for urban exploration, too.

Best Splurge Bike

Áspero GRX RX610
Cervelo Áspero GRX RX610

Riding a Cervelo down well-paved roads is the closest we’ve come to flying while still on the ground. When you’re ready for a premium upgrade, the Áspero delivers. It’s purpose-built for speed and aerodynamics, and it has a long list of upgrades over the previous generation to help maximize your on-road performance.

Best Looped Resistance Bands

Resistance Bands Set
REP Fitness Resistance Bands Set

A simple set of looped resistance bands can help make any bodyweight workout more challenging, intensifying pushups and squats and letting you do moves like biceps curls, too. REP Fitness’s multi-weight set is perfect for travelers or anyone who needs an affordable “anytime” workout option.

Best Trail Running Shoes

Agility Peak 5 Trail Runner
Merrell Agility Peak 5 Trail Runner

Merrell’s new Agility Peak 5 delivers everything trail runners need, including a comfy yet supportive midsole, a protective rock plate, and a rugged Vibram MegaGrip outsole for maximum traction in even the nastiest conditions.

Best Suspension Trainer

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Pro4 Camo Suspension Trainer
TRX Pro4 Camo Suspension Trainer

Bored with the pushups and lunges of bodyweight training? A suspension trainer helps you mix things up, offering a blend of instability and novelty that can challenge your muscles (particularly your core!) in new ways. TRX’s flagship Pro4 offers military-inspired, pro-grade construction with an all-new signature camo-woven design that looks great, too.

Best Minibands

Exercise Mini Band
Perform Better Exercise Mini Band

Oft-forgotten in training are stabilizing muscles like your rotator cuffs and hip external rotators. And sure, you can train those with bodyweight, but Perform Better’s mini bands open up new and fun moves you can do anywhere.

Most Fun

Trainer Kit
BlazePod Trainer Kit

Now 25% Off

Paired with a clever mobile app, BlazePod’s small, light-up pods are built to improve your reaction time with clever games, tests, and analytics. Not only that, but when paired with bodyweight exercise or speed drills, the kit can truly elevate your fitness. And it delivers something underrated to any workout experience: fun.


recovery

Best Travel Massage Gun

Theragun Mini
Therabody Theragun Mini

Now 25% Off

If you’re always on the go (like our editors), then the Theragun Mini should be in your gym bag. Weighing less than 1.5 pounds, this thing is light. While it doesn’t deliver as deep a massage as the Theragun Pro, it still offers plenty for nearly all situations. We like it for loosening our IT bands and chest.

Best Overall Massage Gun

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Hypervolt 2

For a full-size (yet still incredibly lightweight at less than 2.5 pounds) massage gun, the Hypervolt 2 is our go-to. It’s everything we love about Hyperice’s OG model, but lighter, more powerful, and more comfortable to hold. It’s a very accessible massage gun, perfect for just about anyone.

Best Recovery Shoe

OOahh Slide

The OG slide from Oofos gets a new look and a more comfortable footbed while still offering the same supportive foam technology that’s made it a perennial MH must-have. After a rough training session, it’s so much easier not having to pull anything over sore feet. These are favorites among our runners when it comes to recovery shoes.

Best Ice Bath

All-In Tub

Plunge’s aptly named All-In tub is the model for anyone who’s dying for an ice bath. It looks great on any deck or in any room, pairs with its own smartphone app, and chills down to a bone-chattering 37°F. It’s also huge and can fit humans up to 6’9″ (including Aaron Judge). Yes, it’s very expensive. But if you want the Rolls-Royce of ice baths, look no further.

Best Space-Saving Ice Bath

Ice Pod
The Pod Company Ice Pod

Now 25% Off

If space and, more importantly, your budget are limited, the Ice Pod boasts next-gen ice bath tech at a fraction of the cost of most alternatives. It’s insulated and sturdy enough for both indoor and outdoor use. While it won’t give you the experience of lying down, the price and minimal footprint make it a wise choice.

Best Mattress Cover

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Pod 4
Eight Sleep Pod 4

Now 4% Off

Temperature can play a vital role in sleep quality each night. And the new Eight Sleep Pod 4 mattress cover provides quieter cooling and heating, plus sleep tracking, without the need to replace your mattress. All are legitimate upgrades over the Pod 3. It’s truly the Cadillac of sleep tracking and temperature regulation.

Best Red-Light Sauna

mPulse Aspire Red Light Sauna
Sunlighten mPulse Aspire Red Light Sauna

Sunlighten proves you don’t need a ton of space in your home for a personal sauna. The compact mPulse Aspire provides just enough room for one individual, with all the infrared health benefits of premium alternatives.

Best Outdoor Sauna

Cabin Sauna
Redwood Outdoors Cabin Sauna

This roomier, two-level sauna accommodates up to four adults comfortably. It’s delivered standard with a Finnish-built Harvia heater, and the cedar exterior makes it a handsome addition to any backyard space. If getting steams in is something you aspire to do regularly, give this one a look.

Best Vibration Therapy Device

Venom Go

With a combination of recovery-focused tech, the Venom Go is like a wearable heating pad and mini massage gun in one. It offers nine total treatment combos and three levels of heat, allowing you to dial in the exact degree of aahhhhh you’re looking for.

Best On-the-Go Red Light Therapy

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Move+ Pro LED & Laser
Kineon Move+ Pro LED & Laser

Now 38% Off

The Move+ proves that legit red-light therapy really can be portable. The unit is easy to carry around, and it’s just as easy to set up, allowing you to stay relaxed as you focus the lights on sore joints and muscles. It’s a safe, go-anywhere package that’s surprisingly affordable.

Best Foam Roller

Double Roller

Lululemon’s next-level recovery solutions go well beyond apparel. This simple two-in-one device has an exterior roller to massage your arms and legs and an interior one for relieving back tension. The inner roller, with its deep ridges, is our go-to for rolling out our backs and thighs.

Best Vibration Foam Roller

Vyper 3
Hyperice Vyper 3

Now 15% Off

Hyperice’s vibrating foam roller is our favorite one out there. We’ve been using it for years and love the three speeds, which let us dial in the perfect level of massage needed. The medium-firm density hits the sweet spot for most people, and at 13 inches, it’s perfect for rolling out your rhomboids and paraspinals.

Best Compression Boots

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Normatec Elite
Hyperice Normatec Elite

Now 10% Off

If compression boots are part of your recovery, Hyperice’s Normatec Elites have seven compression levels, four hours of battery life, and a weight of only 3.2 pounds per boot. The new seamless design makes them ultra-easy to set up, and everything charges via USB-C, keeping things simple. Once you go wireless, you’ll never go back.

Best Cupping Therapy Device

TheraCup

The makers of the Theragun bring cupping therapy into the new age with this three-in-one device, which also offers heat and vibration. No, the extra features are hardly essential (and often you’re better off skipping them). But the ease with which you can cup a muscle with this is worth it.

Best Sauna Blanket

Infrared Sauna Blanket
HigherDose Infrared Sauna Blanket

When it comes to infrared sauna blankets, HigherDose’s model is top-notch. We’ve used it for over three years, and it’s great for intense, sweaty sessions, typically between 20 and 25 minutes. The convenient side zipper helps you secure yourself in (and get out) without assistance, and the bamboo insert (sold separately) lets you take it on in just your birthday suit (if that’s your thing).

Best Training Sticks

Training Stick Bundles
Stick Mobility Training Stick Bundles

Now 20% Off

Simple to use yet challenging to master, these training sticks help create leverage, build stability, and improve body awareness. This can result in better range of motion and improved muscle activation across every other workout. They’re a workout in themselves, but you’re slyly doing recovery work in the process.

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recovery

Best Running Shorts

Session Shorts
Tracksmith Session Shorts

Men’s Health favorite Tracksmith nails the classic running short. This update makes them even better. More pockets, less bounce, and a softer (silky Italian) liner. So good. With a 5-inch inseam that hits the sweet spot plus a comfy waistband, this is the closest thing to wearing nothing at all on your daily runs.

Best Training Shorts

Interval Short
Ten Thousand Interval Short

We don’t ask for much from a training short. It just needs to be quick-wicking, non-bunching, ultra-stretchy, comfy, and anti-odor. Oh, and with pockets. The versatile Interval Short is all of the above. We’ve used them for everything from lifting sessions and runs to conditioning work and even ice baths. Our editors love them for every activity and they’ve held up throughout it all.

Best Joggers

Sunday Performance Jogger
Vuori Sunday Performance Jogger

Ditch that stack of season-specific joggers for this all-purpose option that’s the best pair of joggers we’ve found to date. The mid-weight is right for almost any time of year, the tapered fit hits that Goldilocks vibe, and the technical knit fabric has kept our legs cool and dry. Honestly, it’s a damn near perfect pant that we love for training sessions of all kinds, but also for days lounging at home or running errands.

Best Short Sleeve Shirt

Reign Tee

Rhone’s Reign Tee stands up to our hardest training sessions and wicks away all that sweat better than most. It fits like your favorite T-shirt, provides the ideal amount of stretch, and looks just as good outside the gym. And it holds up whether you’re running or getting some strength training in.

Best Hoodie

Accolade Hoodie

A good hoodie is a staple of every man’s wardrobe. The Accolade Hoodie is destined to be your go-to with a relaxed, squared-off cut, buttery-soft fabric, and a perfectly oversized hood. It’s not as slim-fitting as some other options out there, but that just allows for a bit more room and movement. Trust us, it’s a great training hoodie.

Best-Looking Hoodie

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Heritage Midweight Hoodie
Rhone Heritage Midweight Hoodie

If you like your hoodies with a sharper, more fitted cut, the Heritage Midweight is it. All the essential features are here, including a soft cotton blend, raglan sleeves, and Rhone’s signature mesh media pocket. Despite the slim fit, it’s still hardwearing and can take on anything you throw at it.

Best Weightlifting Shoes

Legacy Lifter III Weightlifting Shoe
Reebok Legacy Lifter III Weightlifting Shoe

Stability is key when you’re racking serious weight. The Legacy Lifter III was born to keep you locked in during heavy lifts. Inflatable pump technology and a mid-foot strap for maximum security really help make this a snug, comfortable lifting shoe.

Most Versatile T-Shirt

ThinkFast Jersey Shortsleeve
Outdoor Voices ThinkFast Jersey Shortsleeve

Lightweight, cooling, and deceptively simple, the ThinkFast features performance fabrics and an extra soft design that really just looks like a normal tee. This makes it super versatile, as it can go from the gym to relaxing on the couch to traveling weekend warrior-style.

Best Compression Socks

Marathon Socks
Pro Compression Marathon Socks

Whether for recovery, travel, or at your doctor’s orders, the right compression socks can sometimes make a legit difference. Pro Compression’s Marathon knee-high socks are breathable and cozy and feature just the right amount of compression to get your blood pumping.

Best Everyday T-Shirt

Flex Tee

One tee to rule them all—that’s the Flex Tee’s mantra. Our best workout shirt, it’s built with lightweight CoolMax fabric that dries fast and won’t slow you down. During our testing from indoors to outdoors (and in all weather conditions), we also confirmed that the durability, flexibility, and fit are unmatched.

Best Sleeveless Muscle Tee

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Apex Seamless Tank
Gymshark Apex Seamless Tank

Your hardest gym sessions deserve a hard-working tank top—like the Apex. Seamless and lightweight, its breathable, sweat-wicking fabrics are designed to keep up with you. That also means it doesn’t snag, operating like a well-fitting piece of fabric that’s resting on your shoulders. We find ourselves constantly reaching for this one during warm sessions.

Best Compression Muscle Tee

HeatGear Sleeveless
Under Armour HeatGear Sleeveless

The perfect base layer keeps you cool, dries fast, and, most important, wicks away moisture like a champ. UA’s HeatGear Sleeveless is that base layer, ventilating your body and regulating your temperature in any weather. It’s great as a standalone when it’s hot out and the ideal first layer when it’s not.

Best Long-Sleeve Workout Tee

Triumph Long-Sleeve Tee
Alo Triumph Long-Sleeve Tee

For a little extra “boost” during your warmups, there’s Alo’s Triumph. This long-sleeve tee features a relaxed, easy-fit cut from a soft, tri-blend jersey that’s ridiculously comfy and maximizes movement. It really doesn’t restrict in any way and has that nice lived-in feel on the first wear.

Best Fitness Smartwatch

Fēnix 8

For Android users chasing that Apple Watch-esque experience, it hardly gets better than Garmin’s flagship Fenix lineup. It boasts serious multi-activity capabilities from running to swimming to gym work, thanks to advanced workout tracking and route mapping features. A handsome, bulletproof design, beautiful AMOLED screen, and endless features make this the year’s best fitness smartwatch.

Most Minimalist

4.0 Band

If you like your fitness trackers on the simpler side, Whoop takes things back to basics with the 4.0 Band. It’s comfortable enough for all-day wear and intuitively tracks every metric that matters with zero input from you. It doesn’t have a screen, which we see as a plus in terms of “unplugging,” in theory. It does require a monthly subscription, but if you want to strictly track fitness metrics and not get distracted by anything else, Whoop gets the job done.

Best Smart Ring

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Ring 4

Oura elevates the smart ring to high fashion with its latest generation Ring 4. It boasts an eight-day battery life, a sleek, handsome design, and strong overall accuracy. What’s great about the Oura Ring is that you don’t need a subscription to get most health data, and wearing a ring can be a lot less intrusive than a tracker or watch. Our editors think no brand does the smart ring better than Oura.

Best Gym Lifestyle Shoe

Project Rock 7 Luxe Training Shoe
Under Armour Project Rock 7 Luxe Training Shoe

The right lifestyle shoe takes you from the streets to the gym and back again without missing a step. This luxe trainer from UA has the looks and the technical chops to be your new everyday footwear fav and is a utilitarian option that can tackle recreational training, HIIT workouts, and athletic-focused activities.

Best Barefoot Trainer

Primus Lite III Barefoot Trainer
Vivobarefoot Primus Lite III Barefoot Trainer

When it comes to barefoot trainers, Vivobarefoot is at the top of the list. The Primus Lite III is versatile enough to do it all. It’s lightweight and naturally fitting to support everything from squats and deadlifts to broad jumps. It offers superb ground feel and balance while still providing enough sole protection over the toe for running.

Best Overall Trainer

Outwork Training Shoe
Nobull Outwork Training Shoe

For our money, Nobull’s OG training shoe is still its best. The Outwork’s low-profile anatomical design keeps you stable and locked in during any situation. They’re perfect for high-intensity workouts, and the one-piece upper SuperFabric is comfortable and durable as all heck. We wear ’em for everything from plyometrics to heavy lifts.

Best Group Fitness Shoe

Free Metcon 6
Nike Free Metcon 6

Now 29% Off

Nike’s latest-generation Metcon 6 is purpose-built for all-terrain workouts. That means maximum stability for dynamic movements on grass, turf, tracks, sand, gym floors—you name it. Padded enough to comfortably run, jump, and skip without feeling overly cushy and unstable.

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Best Training Short

Flex Rep

True to its name, the Flex Rep trainer short is built for movements of all kinds. It’s flexible, unlined, and reinforced for maximum durability. Plus, a relaxed fit and breathable fabrics keep you cool, calm, and collected. This short can handle everything from squats and sprints to yoga.

Best Workout Jacket

Winter Warm Pro Jacket
The North Face Winter Warm Pro Jacket

Ditch the bulk, keep the warmth with TNF’s Winter Warm Pro. It’s windproof and toasty enough for all but the chilliest winter days, and it packs down ridiculously small. It’s a solid jacket for winter runs or outdoor training sessions. We like the side sleeve for storing gloves, too. Bonus: It’s made almost entirely of recycled materials.

Best Compression Tight

Vintage 247 Half Tight
Represent Vintage 247 Half Tight

Now 50% Off

These compression tights feel and look great, and they bring a hint of visual attitude to your style, too. They’re also functional: The synthetic performance fabric is paired with a comfy waistband, inner drawcords, and a rear zip pocket for stashing valuables.

Best Smartwatch for iPhone Users

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On Sale

Watch Series 10

Apple Watch Series 10

Now 18% Off

Apple continues to bring the awesome with its next-gen Apple Watch Series 10 that was released this past fall. The water-resistant smartwatch boasts a beautiful always-on Retina display, ECG app, and more features than just about any smartwatch ever created. Essentially, it’s slimmer (the thinnest Apple Watch to date), better-looking, and smarter. If you have smaller wrists or prefer a less weighty watch, then this is the Apple Watch for you.

Best for Runners

PACE 3 Sport Watch GPS
Coros PACE 3 Sport Watch GPS

Now 8% Off

For runners who like to keep tabs on their most critical metrics, the Pace 3 is near-perfect. We love the featherweight design (just 30 grams!), crisp, always-on touchscreen, and up to 17 days of continuous battery life (38 hours continuous GPS use). It also boasts accurate tracking of recovery and GPS location.

Best Running Shoes

Velocity NITRO 3

Puma’s Velocity Nitro 3 is built for speed and stability. The lightweight design and aerodynamic silhouette won’t weigh you down, and the TPU heel spoiler provides maximum sure footedness with every stride. This neutral running shoe has a comfortable and breathable mesh upper, and the outsole provides grip in all conditions.

Best Basketball Shoes

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TWO WXY V5

Built for maximum support and freedom of movement, NB’s TWO WXY V5 basketball shoe uses proprietary next-gen materials all around to add comfort and impact protection for your hardest rounds on the court. The same FuelCell foam that powers some of the brand’s top running shoes also provides superior cushioning to these basketball sneaks.


editors picks
OpenRun Pro 2

“The next-gen open-ear headphones bring full-bodied sound, faster charging, and a better fit, so I can hit the road for longer runs without closing myself off from the outside world.” – Brett Williams, NASM-CPT, senior fitness editor

Adizero Adios Pro 4
Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 4

“I ran my strongest marathon ever wearing Adidas’s latest super shoe. The Pro 4 is a super-light, super-responsive pair of kicks designed to get you to your goal pace with less effort on a long run, then bust out of it when you need a burst of speed to finish a race.” – Brett Williams, NASM-CPT, senior fitness editor

Glycerin Max

“I’ve taken to calling the Glycerin Max my ‘thicc bois’ with affection, since the hyper-cushioned super trainers have become one of my favorite running shoes of all time. The secret sauce (along with the massive foam stack) is the marriage of two types of nitrogen-infused cushioning in the heel and forefoot, which makes my strides feel light.” – Brett Williams, NASM-CPT, senior fitness editor

PR Deadlift Bar
Kabuki Power PR Deadlift Bar

“If you really want to deadlift your best, then you want an extra-bendy bar. Kabuki’s PR Deadlift Bar fills that slot, and it has a perfect knurling to set you up for your very best deadlift.” – Ebenezer Samuel, CSCS, fitness director

Cambered Swiss Bar
REP Fitness Cambered Swiss Bar

“The best neutral-grip bar you’ll ever use, with super-wrist-friendly angles for bench presses, rows, and JM presses.” – Ebenezer Samuel, CSCS, fitness director

SkiErg

“My new favorite form of cardio—the Ski Erg lights up the body in ways a bike or treadmill can’t. Plus, the pulling mechanism is smooth and durable.” – Cori Ritchey, CSCS, associate health and fitness editor

Buddy Classic

“If you live alone and carry a lot of tension in your neck and shoulders, this gadget is a must-have. I get a lot of knots in my shoulder blades after a heavy back day, and this hits the spots I can’t get to with a massage gun. Lifesaver!” – Cori Ritchey, CSCS, associate health and fitness editor

3-Stick Training Bundle
Stick Mobility 3-Stick Training Bundle

“Stretching is a game changer, and it doesn’t need to be relegated to before or after a gym session. I am a big fan of Stick Mobility sticks, because in addition to being a great practical tool for workouts, they bring a little fun to the equation. I keep one by my desk at all times, and whenever I’m feeling a little tight in the shoulders or back, it helps open everything up.” – Charles Thorp, NASM-CPT, fitness and commerce editor

Weighted Workout Vest
Aion Weighted Workout Vest

Now 23% Off

“I’m a big fan of using weighted vests to intensify my bodyweight workouts in the garage gym and outdoors. There are benefits to carrying this additional weight on more mundane activities, like walks and errands, but rocking a tactical plate carrier in the grocery store isn’t really appropriate. This sleek product from Aion brings function and form to the category, with a design that you can wear anywhere.” – Charles Thorp, NASM-CPT, fitness and commerce editor

Wayfinder Jogging Stroller
BOB Gear Wayfinder Jogging Stroller

“I used to prefer biking over running, but that all changed when we welcomed our little girl to the family and she was cleared to ride in a jogging stroller. Now it’s my favorite form of cardio. This model from BOB Gear earns its name with extra-large 16-inch back tires, dual suspension, and a swiveling front wheel, giving you peace of mind while logging miles with your little one.” – Charles Thorp, NASM-CPT, fitness and commerce editor


Design: Leanne Mattern and Jason Speakman
Editors: Ryan Brower; Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S; and Charles Throp, NASM
Grooming: Hector Simancas/Art Department
Photography: Justin Steele
Styling:
Ted Stafford
Writing: Mike Richard; Cori Ritchey, C.S.C.S.; Ebenezer Samuel, C.S.C.S.; Charles Thorp, NASM; and Brett Williams, NASM


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Fitness

The best fitness planner for 2024: These workout journals can help you hit your goals.

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The best fitness planner for 2024: These workout journals can help you hit your goals.

Around 79% of New Year’s resolutions focus on health, exercise or diet. But it doesn’t need to be January 1st for you to set the health goals that have been on your mind — you know, the ones that you keep putting off for “later.” There’s no time like the present to get started, and you can do it today with the help of a fitness planner — a type of workout journal that guides you on the road to developing life-changing habits.

First, let’s get a few things out of the way. Yes, starting a new exercise routine or changing your diet may feel intimidating at first. And habits can take time and commitment to develop. If these realities feel discouraging to you, journaling may offer you some hope.

A fitness planner can help you track your journey one day at a time while keeping the bigger picture in focus. This well-rounded approach makes it easier to keep going when minor setbacks or challenges threaten to derail you. In fact, research suggests that progress monitoring, such as writing your goals down and tracking your actions, is linked to meaningful behavior changes. Planners can also be inspiring, motivating and fun to use.

“Journaling can be a powerful tool for developing better health habits. It provides clarity and accountability by helping people track their progress, identify patterns and reflect on their successes and challenges. Writing things down solidifies intentions and creates a tangible reminder of goals, making it more likely that those goals will stay top of mind,” says Gina Cleo, habit researcher and an assistant professor at Bond University.

Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast setting ambitious exercise goals or you’re just starting your health journey and want to take small steps one day at a time, there’s a workout journal for you. The best fitness planner is the one that you’ll be motivated to consistently use while helping you track your top priorities. I personally tested 11 different journals to see which ones are best suited for different types of goals, from the newbie exerciser to the seasoned athlete. Based on testing and hands-on review, these are the best options for 2025.

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Best overall fitness planner

Kunitsa Co.

Size: 8.5″ x 6″ | Pages: 136 | Colors: 2 | Special features: 120 days of tracking, body measurement tracker, personal records tracker, monthly planner, spiral bound

Simple, straightforward and easy to use is often what works best. Kunitsa Co.’s Fit & Well journal does just that.

This planner offers enough guidance to hold you accountable without overwhelming you with too many details. It’s light and compact, making it a good option for on-the-go. It also has a clean, attractive look.

You’ll start your journaling adventure on page two where you’re prompted to set a long-term goal and three short-term goals that will help you meet your long-term goal. This feels doable because it doesn’t go overboard by asking you to track too many goals at once. I like that it also begins with a fun little motivation assignment — asking you to write down how you’re going to celebrate when you reach your goals. It also asks you to visualize how reaching your goals will make you feel.

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After setting your goals, there’s a page for acknowledging potential obstacles, with space to plan for their solutions, another page for tracking your measurements and another for listing your personal bests (your best mile time, the most weight you lifted while squatting or a new distance achievement). Since this is a four-month journal, it includes four undated monthly calendars with a 15-item checklist for each month. Each monthly calendar takes up two pages which is great because there’s a reasonable amount of space to jot down key monthly information.

Finally, we get into the bulk of the journal. Each day you choose a focus and have open-ended space to make notes about your workout, how it went, meals, weight, sleep, how you’re feeling, your energy level and how much water you drank. The back of the journal offers a cheat sheet with examples filled out for each type of page. Seeing how someone else might fill out this journal can offer a little inspiration on how to get started if you need it.

Pros
  • Compact size is good for on-the-go
  • Clean and simple design
  • Offers structure without being overwhelming
  • 30-day risk-free guarantee
  • Can lie flat (spiral bound)
  • Provides examples to get you started
Cons
  • Limited color choices
  • No bookmarks or extras (like stickers) included

$20 at Amazon

More fitness planners we like for 2025

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Clever Fox

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Size: 8.3″ x 5″ | Pages: 120 | Colors: 15 | Special features: Vegan leather cover, no-bleed pages, three months of detailed food and exercise tracking, three sheets of stickers, elastic band, pen loop, three ribbon bookmarks, back pocket

Are you familiar with the concept of SMART goals? The philosophy centers around the idea that you can be more successful in achieving your goals if you make them with five key characteristics in mind; they should be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound. The Clever Fox Fitness & Food Journal 2nd Edition helps you set specific goals and take measurable actions to achieve them in an organized way. Setting a timeline and determining how realistic the goals are is up to you.

Before I get into the content of the journal, I think it’s worth acknowledging that the look and feel of a journal may also influence how a planner inspires you. This planner comes in 15 color choices and features a faux-leather hardback cover. While it’s a relatively travel-friendly size, it’s thicker and a little heavier then some of the other journals on this list. It’s well-made with bonuses that include three pages of inspirational stickers, bookmark ribbons and a pen loop.

This Clever Fox journal starts with a page for examining your current starting point. On this page you can record your beginning (and ending) measurements and attach a before (and after) photo. On the following page, you’ll set up to five goals, noting your deadlines to achieve them and your rewards if you do. The journal then provides you with four monthly calendars, each taking up two pages. The calendars are each followed by two pages to review your monthly progress including a dedicated spot for a photo, measurements, and space to write things like your biggest wins and how you’ll improve next month.

The rest of the journal dials in the specificity and provides you with detailed pages for recording your daily actions. Each day is divided into two sections: one page for your exercises and one for your diet. You can track up to six sets of 10 strength training exercises daily, including your reps and the weight you used for each exercise. Cardio tracking includes sections for time, distance and calories burned. When it comes to diet, the planner offers dedicated spots for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks while tracking your serving size, calories, protein, fat and carbs for each item. The diet page also has spaces to record your weight, mood, energy, activity and water intake for the day.

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This is an ideal journal for setting and achieving specific, actionable fitness and diet goals. If you love getting deep into the details, this journal is for you.

Pros
  • Highly detailed and structured
  • Compact size is good for on-the-go
  • Comes with three pages of stickers and a pocket to store items in
  • Lots of color choices
  • Three bookmarks and a pen holder
Cons
  • Doesn’t lay flat (book-binding style)
  • High level of detail may be overwhelming to beginners

$25 at Amazon

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NewMe Fitness

Size: 8.5″ x 5.5″ | Pages: 148 | Colors: 1 | Special features: Calorie and macro tracker for common foods, exercise ideas for specific muscle groups, free online supplemental tools (body-fat calculator and additional food and exercise charts), over two months of detailed food and exercise tracking, wire-bound spiral

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Just because your budget is tight, doesn’t mean you have to skip this investment in your health. The NewMeFitness Track Your Fitness and Nutrition Journal is typically on sale for less than $10 on Amazon (and is still a reasonable $14 when listed at full price). Think of it as the same price as skipping a latte or two at your favorite coffee spot. And compared to most of the journals on this list which cost between $20 and $40, this is an excellent, budget choice to help get you started as you decide whether or not journaling is right for you. 

So what exactly do you get with this budget-friendly fitness journal? Even though it’s the least expensive one on this list, it’s impressively thorough. While it doesn’t feature some of the bells and whistles that the other planners have (like motivational quotes or stickers), and it isn’t as visually aesthetic, the content of the journal is substantial and quite similar to the Clever Fox Fitness and Food Journal.

You can track up to eight goals and chart your progress for things like weight and body measurements. There’s space to add before and after photos. Like the Clever Fox Journal, the bulk of the journal is dedicated to tracking your daily meals and exercises with space to note how you’re feeling, your energy level, weight, hours of sleep and water intake.

The planner is set up to really break things down and track every detail of your daily workout and diet. For instance, you can record breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks by serving size, protein, fat, carbs and calories. You can track up to six sets of movements for up to 14 weight-training exercises each day, including reps performed and weight lifted. The cardio section includes six categories to record for each exercise. In fact, it may feel overwhelming to some people because there are so many details you can track. Keep in mind that you can fill out as much or as little as you want.

If you are extremely detail-oriented and need a lot of structure, this could be the right journal for you. If you’re easily overwhelmed, read on for our next recommendation.

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Pros
  • Highly detailed and structured
  • Budget-friendly
  • Compact size is good for on-the-go
  • Can lie flat (Spiral bound)
  • Highly rated on Amazon with almost 12K reviews
Cons
  • Only one design choice (functional, not aesthetic)
  • High level of detail may be overwhelming to beginners

$7 at Amazon

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ban.do

Size: 10″ x 8.5″ | Pages: 146 | Colors: 1 | Special features: Concealed spiral, two folder pockets, pages are perforated for easy tear-out, stickers page, to-do checklist, weekly view on one-page layout

Getting started can be the hardest part of any journey, so sometimes the best way to begin is by taking things slow, one step at a time. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use planner that won’t make you feel pressured to do more than you can handle, Ban.do’s Progress Not Perfection planner can serve as your gentle guide. When looking for the right planner, Cleo suggests to “Make sure it’s simple to fill out daily or weekly — overly complicated templates can be discouraging.”

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The journal’s title message, “Progress Not Perfection,” which is printed in large white letters in the front of the planner, offers a daily mantra that will remind you to keep going and not to be too hard on yourself.

The planner features a cutesy cheerful design and 10″ x 8.5″ layout, offering lots of space for writing. It also comes with a sheet of stickers with encouraging messages like “You got this!” and “You are good enough,” to add an element of light heartedness and fun.

The layout is quite straightforward. You can view your weekly schedule side-by-side with your corresponding weekly to do list on a two-page layout. The to do list features a checklist of up to 30 open-ended items. This is followed by space to note three things you did for yourself, three things you did for others, what went well today and what you could do better. And that’s it — just enough prompting to get you started and reflecting on your progress as you embark on your fitness planning journey.

The design of this journal is youthful, and it may feel cutesy and childish which won’t be everyone’s cup of tea. But if you like the idea of a planner that’s playful and simple, this one just might inspire you to make small changes and empower you to see how far you’ve come.

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Pros
  • Larger size offers lots of space to write
  • Simple weekly planner and checklists are approachable for beginners
  • Lies flat (concealed spiral)
  • Comes with encouraging stickers
Cons
  • Cutesy, youthful design won’t be for everyone
  • Larger size makes it less convenient for on-the-go

$25 at Amazon

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Papier

Size: 8.5″ x 6″ | Pages: 192 | Colors: 60 designs/colors| Special features: Made from ethically sourced paper, space for six journeys, packing guide, travel games, list of countries with an illustrated map, hardback cover, ribbon bookmark

When it comes down to it, most of the journals on this list are pretty travel-friendly. But if you want to track your traveling and fitness adventures in one convenient place, the Papier Travel Journal is our pick for you. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of skiing in the Swiss Alps, taking a surf lesson in Maui, hiking to Arthur’s Seat in Edinburgh, biking through Bavaria or learning to tango in Buenos Aires. Or perhaps you just need to find a time slot to visit your hotel fitness center and schedule it into your day. This journal is the place to plan and record your journey.

Papier is famous for its beautiful and inspiring paper products. Their journals are whimsical and dreamy without being cheesy. The designs are modern, creative and tasteful. This travel journal comes in 60 styles, so there’s really something for everyone. Papier’s prices are a little higher than the others on this list, but you’re getting a high quality product with a firm hardback cover and ethically sourced paper. You can also personalize the journals at no extra cost, a thoughtful touch if you’re giving it as a gift.

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The Papier Travel Journal is specifically designed to help you organize and recall all of your wanderings with sections for trip ideas and six specific journeys. Each journey has space for planning your accommodations, transport, budget, packing details and a wishlist. The journeys also include itineraries with slots for your activities and their locations. The itinerary section is the place to schedule your workout into your day, whether you’re doing your usual routine or taking advantage of unique local opportunities. Dedicated space for journaling includes prompts to share things like your favorite experience, funniest moment, your current view and more.

Pros
  • Available in a wide variety of inspiring designs
  • Good, on-the-go size
  • Bookmark ribbon
  • Geared for travel planning
Cons
  • Doesn’t lay flat (book-binding style)
  • Higher price point
  • No guided fitness or diet sections

$34 at Papier

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Kunitsa Co.

Size: 8.5″ x 6″ | Pages: 136 | Colors: 2 | Special features: 90 days of food journaling, progress tracker, daily weight tracker, go-to recipe cards, vegan leather cover, cheat sheet with examples for each type of page

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The Kunitsa Food and Wellness Journal is a great option to get you started with meal planning because it can help you get organized without requiring excessive details. It’s simple, functional and a travel-friendly size. The planner provides space for you to develop 12 weeks of meal plans. “If you are writing down what you are eating, planning on eating and [your] exercise plan for the day or week, you automatically become more aware of your behavior,” says Roxana Ehsani, a board-certified sports dietitian.

Each week the Kunitsa Food & Wellness Planner starts with two side-by-side pages dedicated to planning ahead. One page has space to jot down three key habits for the week and your plans from Monday through Sunday. The other page has open-ended space for notes and prompts to write down what you’re grateful for, what you’ll let go of and what you’ll focus on for the week.

The next seven pages are dedicated to one day of the week. Each of these daily pages is organized with a chart to record your breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks with sections to note your intake of calories, protein, fat and carbs. You can tally your total and targets. But if monitoring specific calories or macronutrients seems overwhelming, Ehsani suggests tracking the components of your meals, for instance, if your meals include a carb, protein, healthy fat and a color — either a fruit or veggie. “These components together build a well-balanced healthy plate,” she says.

There are also designated spots to note your focus for the day, water intake, weight, sleep and how you’re feeling. The journal doesn’t neglect that movement is an important part of your health journey. While fitness is not the focus of this journal, there’s a small section for writing down your workout and activity for each day. Every week ends with a page that includes an illustration and healthy eating tips or words of encouragement. The journal concludes with pages to reflect on your progress and a section to save your favorite recipes.

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Pros
  • Travel-friendly size
  • Clean and simple design
  • Offers structure without being overwhelming
  • 30-day risk-free guarantee
  • Can lie flat (spiral bound)
  • Provides eamples to get you started
Cons
  • Limited color choices
  • No bookmarks included

$23 at Kunitsa Co.

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Happy Planner

Size: 9.25″ x 7″ | Pages: 80 sheets | Colors: 1 design | Special features: 4 moveable dividers with inspirational messages, movable pages, workout and meal tracking, motivational prompts

Happy Planner’s I’m Worth the Work Guided Fitness Journal is designed to walk you through your fitness goals while keeping you motivated and inspired. It helps you track your daily workouts and meals, while also guiding you to turn inward, celebrate your wins and check in with yourself at the same time.

This journal features a clever design. It’s bound with gold plastic discs that allow for you to easily move the planner’s pages and dividers. If you want to temporarily take out a page, you can do this and then reattach it back into the journal.

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Each week in this undated planner starts with a page dedicated to your goals for that specific week. You’re prompted to describe two actions you can take to achieve your goal for the week, and given cues to reflect on habits, preparation and potential obstacles that you may face.

Next, you get a page for each day of the week. Here’s where this fitness journal is uniquely motivational. There’s space to track your workouts and meals on the outer sections of each page, but the inner sections are dedicated to guiding you to do inner work and stay motivated. There are lots of thought-provoking prompts to keep you going and reflecting. Some of these prompts include: “How am I grateful for my body today?”; “I am proud of myself for…”; “Who or what is currently motivating me?”; “What habit can I focus on improving?” and many more. Each week ends with a page for a weekly recap. You’re asked to contemplate your highs and your lows, closing out each week with your proudest moment and what you can do to improve for the following week.

Pros
  • Larger size provides lots of space for writing
  • Moveable pages and dividers
  • Includes both daily workout and meal tracking
  • Features encouraging motivational prompts to keep you inspired
Cons
  • Larger size may not be as travel-friendly
  • No weekly or monthly calendar charts to see every day on one page
  • Only one design

$16 at Happy Planner

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Papier

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Size: 8.5″ x 6″ | Pages: 192 | Colors: Over 120 designs/colors | Special features: 12 weeks of daily overview pages, life-balance wheel, 6 pillars of wellness ecosystem guide, articles written by wellness experts, free personalization, ribbon bookmark

With over 120 thoughtful designs to select from, the Papier Wellness Journal offers everything you need to feel aesthetically inspired while staying on track with your goals. Many of the designs are available in multiple colors, allowing you to find the journal that really speaks to you. You can even customize this journal further with free personalization — a monogrammed cover is a nice touch if you’re giving this as a gift.

The Papier Wellness Journal offers 12 weeks of mindful goal planning and reflecting. The journal begins with a guide to the six wellness pillars (energy, mind, movement, nourishment, connection and rest). There’s a 360-degree wellness wheel that helps you to reflect on each pillar of your wellness. Next, there are flow charts for day and night, allowing you to check in with yourself about the times of day that are strongest for each pillar.

Most of the journal is dedicated to daily check-ins (two pages for the first six days of the week and one for the seventh day). In the morning you log your daily intentions, energy, sleep, movement and how you are feeling. In the evening you log your nourishment, connection and daily gratitude. There’s also a section for evening journaling. At the end of each week you have a space to reflect on your thoughts and feelings, the six pillars, what could be improved upon and what you’re looking forward to. Monthly check-ins prompt you to review your monthly highlights, what went well, what didn’t go according to plan, where you stand with your pillars and your ongoing intentions. Each month, the journal also includes an article written by a wellness expert. The journal concludes with a space for reflection and a new wellness wheel to record your end-of-journal update for each of the six pillars.

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Pros
  • Available in a wide range of inspiring designs and colors
  • Free personalization
  • Ribbon bookmark
  • Ethically sourced paper
Cons
  • Doesn’t lay flat (bookbinding style)
  • Higher price point (Most retail between $31.50 – $40)

$32 at Papier

Factors to consider when making a purchase of a fitness planner

Goals

Most fitness journals have space for you to write down your goals at the beginning of the journal and/or to check in and create new goals throughout the journaling process. “Look for journals that allow you to tailor sections to your goals, whether it’s fat loss, strength training or mindfulness,” says Cleo.

Size and portability

Consider how the size of the journal may influence how often you use it. Are you looking for a larger journal that will offer more space to reflect on your thoughts? Do you need a smaller planner that will fit in your backpack or purse? “A journal you can carry easily ensures you’ll use it consistently,” says Cleo. Consider your lifestyle when selecting which size will work best for you.

Tracking features

Some fitness planners offer tracking that is detailed and specific, while others offer tracking that is more open-ended and customizable. Consider which style works best for you. “If it’s not important to you, don’t spend time tracking it,” says Joe Meier, personal training leader at Life Time Eden Prairie. “We know it can be hard enough to stay motivated and consistent with a fitness routine, so adding another thing to your plate may do more harm than good. Keep things as simple as possible,” he says. Look for the following features to determine which journal is most compatible with your needs:

  • Goal tracking: There should be dedicated spaces to set goals. Goals might be set for the entire duration of the planner, by the week or by the month. The planner may ask you to set a predetermined number of goals or leave the number up to you.

  • Workout tracking: This may be highly detailed to include charts for specific criteria (sets, reps, rest intervals, time) when it comes to strength training and cardio, or this may be open-ended with space to track your activity however you prefer.

  • Measurements and weight tracking: Some journals provide space to record your body measurements and weight, as well as areas to track changes over time.

  • Food tracking: Some journals provide highly detailed tables to plan and record your daily or weekly menus along with estimated calorie/macronutrient intake for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Other journals provide a more open-ended space to track your diet however you prefer.

  • Before and after photos: If you want to take before and after photos and progress pics, look for a diary that includes areas to attach these photos.

  • Mood and inner work tracking: Exercise affects mood, and tracking your mood along with your workouts can help you keep this important factor in mind, especially on days when you just don’t feel like hitting the gym. If you want to pay attention to your mental health in conjunction with your physical health, consider journals that offer prompts to reflect on your mood, thoughts and how you feel.

  • Monthly and weekly overviews: It’s helpful to have a longer-term plan and a way to view your short-term progress in relation to your overarching goals. Calendars where you can track your entire week or month on one or two pages provide a helpful visual that some people appreciate.

  • Checklists: These lists allow you to check off items on to do lists, itineraries, shopping lists, etc.

Layout and design

Finding the design and layout that works best for you is a matter of personal preference. Here are some features to look for when selecting the one that’s right for you:

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  • Aesthetics: Do you prefer a journal that features an inspiring design/color, or is functionality your main priority? Some journals are available in a wide variety of designs and colors while others are limited to a single style.

  • Personalization: Some brands such as Papier and Erin Condren allow for you to customize a journal with your name printed on it.

  • Binding and paper/cover quality: Spiral journals lay flat while book binding style planners may not lay completely flat. Disc binding may allow for you to easily move pages. Think about which type of binding is best suited for your needs.

  • Layout: How is the journal organized? “Progress bars, habit trackers or charts can make tracking more engaging,” says Cleo.

How we chose

To compile this list of the best fitness planners, I considered each of the following:

  • Expert recommendations: I spoke to three experts to learn about what features and qualities to look for when selecting fitness planners.

  • Price: I looked for journals that would be accessible for various budgets.

  • Design: I considered how many designs were available for each journal and looked for journals that would appeal to a range of tastes.

  • Quality: I considered the quality of the paper, materials used and sustainability.

  • Size: I looked for sizes that would fit various lifestyle needs.

  • Reviews: I looked at user reviews to determine what people liked and didn’t like about the planners overall.

  • Content: I looked for journals that were dedicated to fitness, diet, and health goals. I considered the layout and how tracking was organized.

  • Ease of use: I looked for journals that were intuitive to use.

  • Hands-on testing: I personally tested each of the journals.

FAQs

Are fitness planners worth it?

Fitness planners are worth using because they are tools that can help you take steps towards successfully achieving your goals. Research indicates that progress monitoring can help you make impactful behavior changes. “Fitness planners can help motivate people to follow a structured routine and improve their consistency. Recording progress on paper or in an app on your phone can ensure that you are making slow and steady progress toward your goals and can help with motivation,” says Meier.

Is a digital planner better than a paper planner?

Each has their advantages and disadvantages. Paper planners are “great for people who enjoy the tactile experience of writing and find it calming or reflective. Writing by hand can help improve memory and deepen the habit-forming process,” says Cleo. However, apps can be convenient given their smartphone integration and their ability to sync with other devices — they’re likely always at your fingertips and can make some forms of tracking even easier. “Many apps sync with wearable fitness devices, which can provide detailed insights,” says Cleo.

Do fitness journals come with motivational features?

Yes, many fitness journals include features designed to keep you motivated such as prompts to check in with yourself, the ability to set up rewards for achieving “mini goals,” motivational quotes, encouraging stickers and places to share before and after results.

How can I stay consistent with using my fitness planner?

Select a planner that is easy to use, features a layout that works for you and tracks the items that are most important for reaching your goals. It’s also important to choose a planner that’s a size compatible with your lifestyle. Cleo’s offers these additional tips for consistent journaling:

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  1. Make it part of a routine: Pair journaling with an existing habit, like doing it right after your workout or while having your morning coffee, can help solidify the habit.

  2. Set a time limit: Keep it brief — just 5-10 minutes a day. This makes it less overwhelming.

  3. Celebrate small wins: Use your journal to note achievements, no matter how small. It’s motivating to see progress over time.

  4. Keep it visible: Place your journal somewhere you’ll see it daily, like on your bedside table or in your gym bag.

  5. Be flexible: If you miss a day, don’t let guilt stop you — just pick up where you left off. Progress isn’t about perfection; it’s about persistence!

Other products we tested

Papier Productivity Planner: This is a great option if you’re looking for a planner that can be easily customized when it comes to design and goal tracking. It’s open-ended and can help you track any tasks (not just health and diet). It’s available in 47 designs/colors.

Happy Journal Dream Guided Journal: This may be a good alternative to the Worth the Work Happy Planner. It’s a guided journal with prompts to help you stay motivated and positive as you reflect and grow. It offers goal and progress tracking, but the space isn’t specifically dedicated to fitness or diet tracking. (You could easily track those goals, though.)

Clever Fox Fitness and Food Pro Journal: This is a great option for the committed journal user. It’s a six month planner, so it’s best for someone who knows they will use the journal consistently and who won’t be overwhelmed by details. This large, thick hardcover planner is 10.4 inches by 7.3 inches.

Meet our experts

  • Gina Cleo, PhD, habit researcher, founder of Habit Change Institute and assistant professor at Bond University.

  • Joe Meier, CSCS, personal training leader at Life Time Eden Prairie and author of Lift for Life: A practical, evidence-based guide to training.

  • Roxana Ehsani, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, board-certified sports dietitian

Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.

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How does exercise impact fat tissue and protect your heart? Researchers find out

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How does exercise impact fat tissue and protect your heart? Researchers find out

We hear about plenty of different supplements, diets, workout plans, and more that are supposed to help with losing body fat. Many of these claims we take with a grain of salt. Research shows us that exercise contributes to weight loss and body fat loss and improves body fat composition. Regular exercise is undoubtedly part of the weight loss picture, but how exactly does it impact body fat and fat storage? Could exercise promote healthier fat in your body? Let’s look at the new research and what we can learn from it.

The study

Kampus / Pexels

In a study recently published in the Journal of Nature Metabolism, researchers set out to explore how exercise impacts fat tissue by comparing fat tissue under the skin of people with obesity. The study involved two groups of 16 people. Group one reported exercising at least four times a week for at least two years, and group two didn’t exercise frequently.

The results

pull up bar dead hang exercise man holding hanging from bar
Cotton Bro / Pexels

The researchers concluded that frequent exercise clearly impacts fat cells in the body. Group one, who had reported exercising frequently for at least two years, had fat cells that showed increased fat storage and better protein composition with fewer inflammatory cells. 

Not all fat cells are the same

man does dumbbell romanian deadlift exercise RDL in gym MDV Edwards Adobe
MDV Edwards / Adobe Stock

Exercise can improve the fat tissue under the skin, so the fat cells have a greater capacity if you do gain weight. What this means is that more fat will be stored there instead of in dangerous places like your liver or heart. This is just another way that regular exercise is protective for your heart and other organs. Excess fat building up in your heart and liver impairs how these organs function. Fat tissue is associated with metabolic health and lifestyle changes.

The takeaway

man running with headphones on beach.
Leandro Boogalu / Pexels

This study reveals that exercise could help you store fat better, promote a healthier type of fat, and help you lose body fat. Fat tissue is an important reservoir of additional energy, and exercising more frequently improves your metabolism and fat storage. The reasons to get our muscles moving just keep on coming.


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Exercising can be fun — really. 5 ways to add more joy to your workouts.

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Exercising can be fun — really. 5 ways to add more joy to your workouts.

Some people get a real high from exercise: They genuinely look forward to hitting the running trail, pushing themselves in a boot camp class or trying a new pose in a yoga class. Other people mainly work out because they know it’s good for them — regular exercise plays a key role in everything from your bone and cardiovascular health to weight management and well-being.

For the rest of us, though, the passion for exercise varies depending on the day: Sometimes we’re all in on a spin class, and other days we’re barely able to peel ourselves off the couch to walk around the block.

No matter where you fall on the spectrum, however, there are ways you can squeeze more joy from working out. Here are five tips from experts.

Create a great playlist

“Music is a game changer,” Carrie Minter Ebers, the founder of Carrie’s Pilates, tells Yahoo Life, noting that her classes include “high-energy playlists” to keep everyone motivated. At home, she recommends finding your favorite upbeat tracks, or matching the tempo of your workout to the beat, which “can make every move feel more dynamic and enjoyable.”

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Research has found that exercising to music may help you work out more efficiently, as well as enjoy your experience more. One way to do this is on a treadmill. TikToker Allie Bennett creates treadmill workouts with playlists of artists like Chappell Roan, Taylor Swift or even the cast of Wicked. Each song is associated with a certain tempo, which you can match as you are walking or jogging.

Break out of your rut

Dalton Grant, a yoga instructor who owns the Light Orchard, a rock ’n’ roll-themed yoga studio in Los Angeles and Ojai, Calif., says that one way to find joy in exercise is to do something new.

“If you usually lift weights, do hot yoga,” Grant tells Yahoo Life. “If you’re bored with HIIT training, go to a climbing wall. Stir the pot, agitate the mixture and keep it fresh. When’s the last time you did burpees for 10 minutes straight with Zeppelin cranking in the background? Just a thought!”

According to a 2020 study, adding some novelty to your exercise routine can keep you more engaged. You don’t have to go for an entirely new type of workout either. If you tend to stick to the same movements while lifting weights, for example, try finding different exercises that engage the same muscles instead. Or if you take the same route for your daily walk, try out a different path.

Find your workout buddies

Studies have shown that working out with other people makes you more likely not only to commit to exercising, but also to enjoy it more. That’s because “working out with friends can transform exercise from a chore to something you look forward to,” Jill Drummond, a personal trainer and director of education and programming at Pilates studio Bodybar, tells Yahoo Life.

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“A fitness community brings motivation, accountability and most importantly fun,” she notes. “If you don’t have friends to work out with, consider joining a group like a running club or Pilates studio — they’re great at fostering a sense of community.”

Be playful

You likely remember the fun of recess games — and never once considered that playing tag or capture the flag was good for sneaking in some cardio. You may be more fitness-aware now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate play into your exercise routine. Studies say play is important for adults’ well-being and has great benefits for mental health, social bonding and, of course, physical fitness.

“Games like double Dutch, relay races, dodgeball or sports and dance are excellent ways to stay active without feeling overwhelmed by the thought of going to the gym or following a structured workout routine,” says personal trainer Jah Washington, owner of Harlem Kettlebell Club.

Dance

There are so many reasons to get out and dance, whether that’s in a class at a studio, with friends at a wedding or just alone in your bedroom. Not only can dance be a great cardio workout, but it’s also good for your brain and may even help reduce depression.

And don’t stress if you’re not the world’s greatest mover and shaker — you can reap the benefits of dance no matter your skill level.

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“For me, movement is all about self-expression,” Keaira LaShae, founder of the dance-focused workout app If You Can Move, tells Yahoo Life. “It’s not about perfecting every move — it’s about letting the rhythm take over and having fun! Dance allows you to release stress, boost your energy and just be.”

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